OCEANIA

Safety concerns escalate in Australia

14 years ago

Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) members from Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla took to the streets in Sydney this week to rally over “industry inaction” on safety issues following the recent death of a fellow dockworker.

They were calling for the introduction of a national safety code in response to the reaction of employers who blocked a new code of practice the day after Greg Fitzgibbon was crushed to death on the dockside by 20 tonnes of aluminium back in September.

The MUA has accused Qube, Patricks and DP World of “refusing to behave responsibly” and says that it will continue to protest until Australian wharfies receive “the highest possible standard of safety”.

An Australian Logistics Council (ALC) spokesman told Port Strategy that the decision to go ahead on a Code of Practice was formalised at the beginning of 2012.

The problem is that so far attempts at drafting a new Code have failed to meet seven key principles set down by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. Michael Kilgariff at ALC pointed out that the Code needs further work and that there is no evidence that establishing a “prescriptive” Code will ensure safety outcomes and lower safety risk.

By way of reaction to the rally, Mr Kilgariff, ALC, added: “Australia’s major stevedores are committed to a Code of Practice that is workable, practical and enhances safety outcomes” in line with Work Health and Safety legislative framework.